Apparel hook with extension

ABSTRACT

An apparel hook includes a hook member and an extension member, each of which extends from opposing sides of the apparel hook, for example. The hook member engages a garment rod while the extension member is intended to engage an extension pole, for example. The apparel hook further includes a strap, for example, that supports garment hanger hook(s) and/or the hook member of other apparel hook(s). Overall, the apparel hook hangs from a rod at the hook member while garment hangers, for example, suspend from the strap a distance below the rod. For high rods, an extension pole is inserted against the extension member, thereby providing a simplified way to raise and lower the apparel hook to and from the rods. An opening of the hook member may also be sized to the approximate diameter of a garment rod, thereby creating resistance when the apparel hook is placed on or removed from the rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus that permits additionalhangers to be suspended from a hanger rod and, in particular, to amechanism that assists in the hanging of the apparatus from high hangerrods

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices for holding garment hangers are known for solving a variety ofproblems associated with storing, transporting and displaying garments.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,455 to Artemi discloses a garmenthanging device (e.g., see FIG. 1 of that patent) that permits additionalhangers to be suspended from a hanger rod. That device comprises a mainbody with a hook portion. Within the main body towards the bottom of thedevice a hole is formed. A strap is threaded through this hole andformed into a loop. In operation, the hook portion of the device isinserted over a garment hanger rod/rail with the loop/strap suspendeddownward. The hooks of conventional garment hangers are then insertedthrough the strap/loop so that the garment hangers and any garments onthese hangers hang from the device at a position/distance below thehanger rod.

One advantage of a garment hanging device like that of Artemi is that itallows a larger number of garments to hang from a hanger rod than wouldotherwise be possible. For example, garment hangers can now hang from ahanger rod in an interleaved fashion, with some garment hangers hangingdirectly from the hanger rod and other garment hangers hanging at adistance below the rod through the device.

As an example, the garment industry and retail stores often use such agarment hanging device to provide additional space by storing garmentsin an interleaved fashion, as just described. Here, additional space isalso obtained by using the garment hanging device on multiple levels ofhanger rods. Typically, in order to insert the garment hanging deviceonto higher rods, a user will use an extension pole with a protrusion orcatch at one end (hereinafter collectively referred to as a catch).Specifically, the user will insert the catch of the extension pole underthe hook portion of the garment hanging device or will insert the catchthrough the hole formed in the main body (i.e., the hole through whichthe strap is threaded). The user will then use the pole to lift thegarment hanging device and any garments suspended from the device to anupper hanger rod and then onto the rod. To later retrieve the garmenthanging device from the rod, the user will again insert the catch of theextension pole under the hook portion of the device or into the holeformed in the main body and lift the device up and off the hanger rod.

Another example way in which the garment industry and retail stores usesuch a garment hanging device is through the “drop method.” Here, forexample, a first garment hanging device is suspended from a hanger rodand the hooks of conventional garment hangers are inserted through thestrap/loop so that garments on these hangers suspend from the garmenthanging device, as described above. The hook portion of a second garmenthanging device is then also inserted into the strap/loop of the firstgarment hanging device. Additional garment hangers with garments arethen suspended from the strap/loop of this second garment hangingdevice. Similarly, the hook portion of a third garment hanging device isthen inserted into the strap/loop of the second device, etc. As can beseen, this arrangement forms a cascading chain of garment hangingdevices (hereinafter referred to as a “garment-chain”), with each devicepotentially holding garment hangers with garments. Again, in order toadd and remove garment hanging devices to and from such a garment-chain,a user will typically use the catch of an extension pole in combinationwith the hook portion or hole of the garment hanging devices, similar toabove.

Nonetheless, using the catch of an extension pole to grab a garmenthanging device like that of Artemi in order to place the device onto anupper rod or within a garment-chain or to retrieve the device from a rodor garment-chain is a daunting and problematic task. Specifically, oncean extension pole has been used to place a garment hanging device onto arod or within a garment-chain, it is often difficult to thereafterremove the catch of the extension pole from the garment hanging device.Specifically, the catch can become wedged/caught within the hole of thedevice or wedged between the underside of the hook portion of the deviceand the rod, for example. Similarly, when retrieving a garment hangingdevice from a rod or garment-chain, it is often difficult to target thehole formed in the main body or to target the underside of the hookportion of the device with the catch of the extension pole and to theninsert the catch.

Notably, it is often easier for a user to snag the garment hangingdevice with the extension pole catch at the hole formed within the mainbody of the device, as compared to the underside of the hook portion,because the hanger rod does not get in the way. However, in addition tothe problems just described, it is often difficult to get leverage onthe device when using this hole because the hole is formed towards thebottom of the device (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 of theArtemi patent).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a garment hanging device thatprovides a simplified way to raise and lower the device to and from highrods and/or garment-chains, thereby overcoming the above and otherdisadvantages of the prior art. According to an example embodiment ofthe present invention, an apparel hook comprises an interconnected hookmember, extension member, and strap, for example. The hook memberextends from one side of the apparel hook and forms a first inner hooksurface intended for engaging a garment hanging rod so as to suspend theapparel hook there-from. The extension member extends from an oppositeand second side of the apparel hook, for example, and forms a secondinner surface intended for engaging a catch of an extension pole, forexample. Significantly and in accordance with the present invention, theextension member provides a simplified mechanism for raising andlowering the apparel hook to and from high garment rods, as describedbelow. The strap forms at least one loop, for example, and is connectedto the apparel hook such that the strap/loop suspends below the apparelhook. In operation, the hooks of conventional garment hangers areinserted into the strap-loop so that the hangers suspend from theapparel hook at the loop. Alternatively, rather than a strap and loop,an opening may be formed within the apparel hook, which opening directlyreceives the hooks of conventional garment hangers.

According to one example use of the apparel hook of the presentinvention, a user inserts the hook member of the apparel hook over agarment hanging rod such that the first inner hook surface of the hookmember engages the rod. In this way, the apparel hook suspends from thegarment hanging rod. The user then inserts the hooks of one or moregarment hangers through the strap-loop, for example. In this way, thegarment hangers are suspended from the loop/apparel hook at aposition/distance below the garment hanging rod, thereby, for example,allowing a larger number of garment hangers to hang from the rod thanwould otherwise be possible. Similarly, the user can insert the hookmember of a second apparel hook through the strap-loop of a firstapparel hook, etc., thereby creating a garment-chain of cascaded apparelhooks, with one or more of the apparel hooks potentially supportinggarment hangers.

More significantly, however, through the extension member of the presentinvention, the apparel hook can be raised to and lowered from highgarment hanging rods in a simplified fashion. Specifically, according toanother example use of the apparel hook of the present invention, one ormore hooks of garment hangers are placed into the strap-loop of theapparel hook, for example, to suspend the garment hangers there-from. Acatch of an extension pole, for example, is then engaged against thesecond inner surface of the extension member. In this configuration, theextension pole is then used to raise the apparel hook up and onto a highrod such that the apparel hook engages the rod along the first innerhook surface of the hook member. With the apparel hook now suspendedfrom the rod, the catch of the extension pole can be easily disengagedfrom and moved away from the apparel hook without becoming wedged orcaught in the apparel hook. Similarly, to later remove the apparel hookfrom the garment hanging rod, the second inner surface of the extensionmember is targeted with the catch of the extension pole and the catchthen easily inserted/engaged against this surface. Once grabbed in thisfashion with the extension pole, the apparel hook is moved up and offthe rod and guided downward away from the rod. Notably, by grabbing theapparel hook with the extension pole at the extension member, improvedleverage is also obtained for maneuvering the apparel hook to and from arod (as compared to previous methods of grabbing the apparel hook at thehole formed in the main body).

According to a further example use of the apparel hook of the presentinvention, the extension member is used in combination with an extensionpole to raise and lower the apparel hook to and from a garment-chain.Again, the extension member of the present invention provides asimplified way to insert an apparel hook onto a chain without the catchof the extension pole getting wedged or caught. Similarly, the extensionmember is easily targeted when removing an apparel hook from the chain.

According to another example embodiment of the present invention, thehook member has a hook opening shaped and sized to provide resistancewhen the apparel hook is placed on and removed from a garment hangingrod. In particular, opposing surfaces of the hook opening are sized suchthat an increased resistance or interference is felt upon the insertionof, and more importantly, the removal of the apparel hook from thegarment hanging rod, thereby preventing accidental removal of theapparel hook through jostling, for example. In accordance with a furtheraspect of this embodiment of the invention, the opposing surfaces of thehook opening may have a convex surface profile. Accordingly, when theapparel hook is orthogonal to the garment hanging rod, resistance orinterference is felt upon insertion or removal of the apparel hook toand from the garment rod, as described. However, when the apparel hookis tilted with respect the garment hanging rod, the size of the hookopening relative to the garment hanging rod now has a larger dimension.This increased sized opening allows for the easier insertion and removalof the apparel hook to and from the rod.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparel hook with an extension memberaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention, the apparelhook further comprising a looped assembly for directly supportinggarment hangers;

FIG. 2A illustrates another example apparel hook with an extensionmember according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate a front view and a left side view,respectively, of another example apparel hook with a modified extensionmember according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D illustrates another example apparel hook with a modifiedextension member according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a front view and a right side view,respectively, of a further example apparel hook with an extension memberaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention, the apparelhook further comprising multiple openings for a supporting a loopedassembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example apparel hook with an extension memberaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention, the loopassembly here extending directly from the body of the apparel hook;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a partial left side view,respectively, of a further example apparel hook with an extension memberaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention, the apparelhook further comprising an opening for directly supporting garmenthangers;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate still further example apparel hooks withextension members according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention, the apparel hooks here having a main body portion removed;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example use of an apparel hook according to thepresent invention, the example use including an extension pole to raiseand lower the apparel hook to and from a high garment hanger rod;

FIG. 8 illustrates another example use of an apparel hook according tothe present invention, the example use including an extension pole toraise and lower the apparel hook to and from a garment-chain;

FIG. 9 illustrates another example apparel hook according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, the apparel hook here having theextension member removed; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a front view and a right side view,respectively, of another example apparel hook with an extension memberaccording to example embodiment of the present invention, the hookopening here being configured to the dimensions of a garment hanger rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example apparel hook100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Apparelhook 100 comprises main body 102, hook member 104, body opening 108, andstrap 110. According to the present invention, apparel hook 100 furthercomprises extension member 106. As further described below, extensionmember 106 allows the catch of an extension pole, for example, to engageapparel hook 100 so that apparel hook 100 can be lifted to and retrievedfrom high garment hanger rods/rails and/or garment-chains in asimplified fashion. In general, apparel hook 100 can be formed, forexample, of plastic, metal, wood, or any other suitable material knownin the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, hook member 104 is connected to main body 102at end 104 c of the hook member and extends from a first side of themain body 102. As also illustrated in this Figure, hook member 104 formsinner hook surface 104 a and further forms, at end 104 b, hook opening118 with main body 102. Similarly, extension member 106 is connected tomain body 102 at end 106 c of the extension member and extends from asecond and opposing side 102 a of main body 102. As illustrated,extension member 106 includes inner surface 106 a and forms, at end 106b , spaced opening 112 with main body 102. Note that FIG. 1 illustratesbody portion 102, hook member 104, and extension member 106 as eachhaving a flat planar shape. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art willrecognize that this shape is not specific to the invention.

In operation, hook member 104 is inserted over a garment hanger rod suchthat inner hook surface 104 a engages the rod so that apparel hook 100hangs from the rod in a conventional manner. Alternatively, multipleapparel hooks 100 can be cascaded using the “drop method,” therebyforming a “garment-chain” of apparel hooks 100. Here, hook member 104 ofa first apparel hook 100 is suspended from a hanger rod. The hook memberof a second apparel hook 100 is then suspended from strap 110 of thefirst apparel hook, etc. In both cases and as further described below,the catch of an extension pole, for example, can be inserted againstinner surface 106 a of extension member 106 and in this way, used toraise and insert an apparel hook 100 onto high garment rods and/orwithin garment-chains and to also remove apparel hook 100 from theserods and/or garment-chains.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, extension member 106 extends at a downwardangle from the long dimension of main body 102, thereby forming a notchor “V” shape along inner surface 106 a. Notably, this notch assistsapparel hook 100 from slipping off the catch of an extension pole whenraising and lowering the apparel hook to and from a hanger rod orgarment-chain. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art will recognize thatthe present invention is not limited to this notch or “V” shape andextension member 106 can extend from main body 102 in different fashionswhile continuing to form an inner surface 106 a that will allow anextension pole to engage apparel hook 100 for the lowering and raisingof the device. For example, extension member 106 can extend from mainbody 102 as illustrated by apparel hook 135 in FIG. 2A. Similarly, oneskilled in the art will recognize that extension member 106 need notform spaced opening 112 with main body 102 but rather, can be attachedat end 106 b to main body 102 along side 102 a, thereby forming a closedloop/ring, for example. Similarly, such a ring can be situated relativeto main body 102 as illustrated by example apparel hook 137 in FIGS. 2Band 2C, FIG. 2C being a left side view of apparel hook 137 asillustrated in FIG. 2B. Furthermore, while extension member 106 isillustrated in FIG. 1 (and similarly, FIGS. 2A-2C) as being situatedtowards a top end of main body 102, this location is also not specificto the invention and extension member 106 can alternatively be situatedanywhere along side 102 a, for example. Similarly, extension member 106is not restricted to side 102 a and may be connected anywhere along theouter perimeter of the apparel hook, including the top perimeter of mainbody 102 and/or the outer perimeter of hook member 104. Here, extensionmember 106 can extend back, towards side 102 a of the apparel hook, orextend forward, towards end 104 b of the hook member, as illustrated byexample apparel hook 138 in FIG. 2D.

As described above and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, for example,extension member 106 is situated such that it extends within or parallelto the plane formed by hook member 104 and main body 102. In thisfashion and as illustrated in the Figures, inner surface 106 a ofextension member 106 is accessible to the catch of an extension pole,for example, when inserting and removing hook member 104 of apparel hook100 to and from a hanger rod or garment-chain. Nonetheless, one skilledin the art will recognize that extension member 106 of the presentinvention need not extend within or parallel to the same common planeformed by hook member 104 and main body 102 and can, for example, extendat an angle from this common plane. For example, extension member 106can be situated at a 90° angle to the common plane formed by hook member104 and main body 102. In this way, inner surface 106 a of extensionmember 106 is still accessible to an extension pole when raising andlowering apparel hook 100 (or apparel hook 135, 137, or 138, forexample) to and from a hanger rod or garment-chain. Notably, whenextending at an angle from the apparel hook as just described, extensionmember 106 may be connected along the perimeter of the apparel hook (asillustrated in the Figures) or alternatively, be connected along thefront or rear face of the apparel hook, either along main body 102and/or hook member 104.

Turning now to body opening 108 and strap 110, the strap is threadedthrough the body opening and attached upon itself using any method knownin the art. For example, as illustrated by apparel hook 100 of FIG. 1,strap 110 is riveted or stitched upon itself at portion 116. In thisway, strap 110 is suspended from the apparel hook and forms loop 114. Asfurther described below, the hooks of conventional garment hangers areplaced in loop 114 so that garments on these hangers are suspended fromthe apparel hook. Similarly, when forming a garment-chain, hook member104 of a first apparel hook, such as apparel hook 100, is placed in loop114 of a second apparel hook 100, thereby forming a cascaded chain.Notably, strap 110 is not limited to a single loop and can include aplurality of loops formed, for example, from a plurality of stitched orriveted portions similar to stitched or riveted portion 116. In thisway, the apparel hook can support an additional number of conventionalgarment hangers and/or other apparel hooks when using the drop-method,for example. Furthermore, strap 110 can include a slide device, abuckle, an adjustable clasp mechanism, or the like, that allows the sizeof loop 114 to be adjusted in length.

In general, one skilled in the art will recognize that strap 110 is notspecific to the invention and can be replaced with other mechanismsknown in the art that allow for the receiving of conventional garmenthanger hooks and/or hook members 104 so that the conventional hangersand/or apparel hooks can be suspended from the apparel hook. Forexample, a looped rope, a linked-chain, or a wire can be used ratherthan a strap. In general, note that strap 110 (whether a strap, rope,chain, or wire) can be made of any suitable material known in the artsuch as plastic, fabric, metal, wood, rubber, wire, etc.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that while body opening 108is illustrated as having a rectangular shape, the body opening is notrestricted to this shape and can also have, for example, a circular ortriangular shape. Similarly, an apparel hook according to the presentinvention may include an additional opening 108 a (e.g., as shown inphantom lines in FIG. 1) in main body 102. Such an opening allows forthe simplified insertion of strap 110 into body opening 108.Specifically, rather than threading strap 110 through body opening 108and then connecting strap 110 upon itself with rivets or stitches, forexample, strap 110 can first be riveted/stitched and looped throughopening 108 a to body opening 108.

One skilled in the art will further recognize that the present inventionis not limited to a single body opening 108 and strap 110 to form one ormore loops 114. For example, as illustrated by apparel hook 139 in FIGS.3A and 3B (FIG. 3B being a right side view of apparel hook 139), mainbody 102 may include two body openings 109 a and 109 b. Here, strap 118has one or more loops 120 a and 120 b. Strap 118 is threaded throughbody openings 109 a and 109 b in a serpentine fashion. This serpentinethreading can provide a certain amount of resistance to the movement ofstrap 118 through openings 109 a and 109 b when strap 118 is carryingthe weight of garments on garment hangers hooked into loops 120 a and120 b, for example. In this configuration, strap 118 can be adjusted byrelieving the weight applied to one or more of loops 120 a and 120 b andsliding strap 118 through openings 109 a and 109 b as desired.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that while body opening 108(or similarly, openings 109 a and 109 b) is illustrated in the Figuresas lying within the plane of the apparel hook, this orientation is notspecific to the invention and body opening 108 may be situatedperpendicular to the plane of the apparel hook, for example. Here, theorientation of strap 110 and loop 114 would be turned 90°, for example,as compared to the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1, for example.

Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that body opening 108in general is not specific to the invention and an apparel hookaccording to the present invention need not include opening 108 (oropening 108 a). Specifically, according to another aspect of theinvention, rather than attaching strap 110 to main body 102 through theuse of body opening 108, strap 110 can be attached to main body 102using, for example, a co-molding process, as is known in the art.Alternatively, an apparel hook, such as apparel hook 100, can befabricated as two mirror-image halves and the two halves then fusedtogether as one, for example. In the process of fusing the two halvestogether, strap 110 can be inserted between the halves and thereby heldin place in a clamp-like fashion. Using one of these fabricationmethods, for example, strap 110 essentially extends out of main body102, such as from the bottom, as illustrated by apparel hook 140 of FIG.4, for example. As another alternative, an anchor can be formed/fusedonto main body 102 and strap 110 connected to this anchor. As a furtheralternative, a snap, clasp or any other detachable mechanism known inthe art can be used to attach strap 110 to body 102. Here, one half ofthe detachable mechanism is formed/fused onto main body 102 and acomplementary half is formed onto strap 110. The two complimentaryhalves are then interconnected. In general, any method known in the artfor attaching strap 110 to the main body can be used.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that strap 110 is notspecific to the invention and an apparel hook according to the presentinvention does not need to include strap 110. More specifically,referring to FIG. 5A there is illustrated an example apparel hook 150according to another example embodiment of the present invention.Apparel hook 150 is substantially similar to apparel hook 100, forexample, in that it comprises hook member 104 and extension member 106.However, here, main body 152 of apparel hook 150 is extended downwardand includes opening 154 that functions as a hanger-support, as moreclearly illustrated in FIG. 5B, which is a left side view of a portionof the apparel hook as illustrated in FIG. 5A. According to thisembodiment of the invention, opening 154 is adapted to have a size toreceive the hooks of conventional garment hangers and/or hook members104 of other apparel hooks, such as apparel hook 150, for example. Inoperation, the hooks 130 of conventional hangers 132, for example, areplaced in opening 154 so that garments on these hangers are suspendedfrom apparel hook 150 and thereby suspended at a position/distance belowa hanger rod from which apparel hook 150 is hanging. Similarly, whenforming a garment-chain, hook member 104 of an apparel hook is placed inopening 154 of apparel hook 150, thereby forming a cascaded chain.Again, note that the shape of opening 154 is not specific to theinvention. Furthermore, note that apparel hook 150 may include multipleopenings 154 so that apparel hook 150 can support an additional numberof conventional garment hangers and/or other apparel hooks, for example.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that main body 102 and 152 asillustrated in the above example apparel hooks of the present inventionare not specific to the invention and an apparel hook according to thepresent invention does not need to include a main body. Morespecifically, referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C there are illustratedexample apparel hooks 160 a, 160 b, and 160 c according to anotherexample embodiment of the present invention. Apparel hooks 160 a, 160 b,and 160 c are similar to the above described apparel hooks, such asapparel hooks 100, 140, and 150, in that each comprises hook member 104and extension member 106. However, here, the main body (i.e., 102 or152) is removed and replaced with support member 162 a, 162 b, or 162 c,which provides direct lateral support for one or more garment hooksand/or other apparel hooks.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 6A and example apparel hook 160 a, thereis illustrated support member 162 a to which is directly attached hookmember 104 and extension member 106. Similar to apparel hook 100, forexample, support member 162 a provides an opening 168 through which astrap 110 is attached to apparel hook 160 a. As described above, garmenthangers, for example, are suspended from the strap and thereby fromsupport member 162 a. Similarly, referring to FIG. 6B and exampleapparel hook 160 b, support member 162 b is such that it engages strap110 through a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or adetachable mechanism, for example, similar to apparel hook 140, forexample. Again, garment hangers are suspended from the strap and therebyfrom support member 162 b. Similarly, referring to FIG. 6C and exampleapparel hook 160 c , support member 162 c provides opening 164 (shown inphantom), which functions as a hanger-support, similar to apparel hook150, for example. Here, the support member directly receives the hooksof garment hangers 132, for example, thereby providing direct supportthereof. Again, one skilled in the are will recognize that extensionmember 106 of example apparel hooks 160 a, 160 b, and 160 c may be aclosed ring, may extend at an angle from the plane formed by supportmember 162 a,b,c and hook member 102, or may extend from hook member104, for example, similar to apparel hook 138 of FIG. 2D.

Referring now to FIG. 7 (note that FIG. 7 is not drawn to scale), thereis illustrated an example use of apparel hook 100 according to thepresent invention (note that apparel hooks 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 150,and 160 a-c are similarly used). As seen, one or more hooks 130 ofconventional garment hangers 132 with garments are placed in loop 114 tosuspend the garments from apparel hook 100. Catch 134 of extension pole136, for example, is then engaged against inner surface 106 a ofextension member 106. In this configuration, extension pole 136 is thenused to lift apparel hook 100 onto a rod/rail 138 such that the rodpasses through opening 118 and engages apparel hook 100 along inner hooksurface 104 a . As illustrated in FIG. 7, once apparel hook 100 issuspended from rod 138, extension member 106 extends away from the rodwith opening 112 directed substantially downward towards the user. Inaddition, as can be understood, the weight of apparel hook 100 and thecorresponding garments are now transferred from catch 134 of extensionpole 136 to rod 138. Accordingly, the hook of the extension pole can nowbe disengaged from inner surface 106 a, moved easily downward throughopening 112, and moved away from apparel hook 100.

Similarly, to later remove apparel hook 100 from rod 138, catch 134 ofextension pole 136 is moved upward through opening 112 and engagedagainst inner surface 106 a of extension member 106. By then pushing upagainst inner surface 106 a of extension member 106 with the catch ofextension pole 136, the weight of apparel hook 100 and the correspondinggarments are transferred to the extension pole so that apparel hook 100is disengaged from rod 138. Apparel hook 100 is then moved so that rod138 passes through opening 118 and is guided downward away from the rod.

Referring now to FIG. 8 (note that FIG. 8 is not drawn to scale), thereis illustrated another example use of apparel hook 100 according to thepresent invention. Specifically, here, three apparel hooks, 100 a, 100b, and 100 c are illustrated interconnected according the drop method,the apparel hooks thereby forming a cascaded garment-chain. In order toform the chain, for example, extension pole 136 is used to suspendapparel hook 100 a from rod/rail 138 as described above. Thereafter,catch 134 of extension pole 136 is engaged against extension member 106of apparel hook 100 b and the pole then used to raise apparel hook 100 bup to apparel hook 100 a such that hook member 104 of apparel hook 100 bis inserted into loop 114 of apparel hook 100 a and suspended therefrom.Similarly, the extension pole is then be used to raise apparel hook 100c up to apparel hook 100 b such that hook member 104 of apparel hook 100c is inserted into loop 114 of apparel hook 100 b and suspendedtherefrom. Alternatively, the extension pole can be used to raisemultiple apparel hooks at one time. Note that in FIG. 8, one or moreconventional garment hangers 132 are shown as suspended from apparelhook 100 c. Note that one or more garment hangers 132 can also besuspended from apparel hooks 100 a and/or 100 b.

Referring again to FIG. 8, in order to remove apparel hooks 100 b and100 c for example, from the garment-chain, catch 134 of extension pole136 is moved upward through opening 112 of apparel hook 100 b andengaged against inner surface 106 a of extension member 106. By thenpushing up against extension member 106 with the catch of extension pole136, the weight of apparel hooks 100 b and 100 c and the correspondinggarments are transferred to the extension pole so that apparel hook 100b is disengaged from strap 110 of apparel hook 100 a Apparel hook 100 bis then moved away from apparel hook 100 a and apparel hooks 100 b and100 c guided downward to the user. In a similar fashion, apparel hooks100 b and 100 c can be added back to the garment-chain.

As can be seen, extension member 106 of the present invention simplifiesthe raising and lowering of apparel hooks to and from high rods and/orgarment-chains through the use of an extension pole, for example.Specifically, when first placing an apparel hook of the presentinvention on a rod or within a garment-chain, extension member 106allows the catch of the extension pole to thereafter be easilydisengaged from and moved away from the apparel hook without gettingwedged or caught. Similarly, when retrieving an apparel hook from a rodor from a garment-chain, inner surface 106 a of extension member 106 canbe easily targeted with the catch of the pole and the catchinserted/engaged against surface 106 a. Furthermore, by grabbing theapparel hook of the present invention with an extension pole at innersurface 106 a , improved leverage is obtained when maneuvering theapparel hook to and from a rod or garment-chain (as compared to previousmethods of grabbing the apparel hook at the hole formed in the mainbody).

As one skilled in the art will recognize, the above described exampleapparel hooks, such as apparel hook 100, are not limited for use onlywith high garment hanger rods and/or garment-chains, as just described.In other words, a user can also grasp the apparel hooks and directlyinsert them onto and remove them from garment hanger rods orgarment-chains within direct reach.

Accordingly, as one skilled in the art will further recognize, anapparel hook of the present invention and as described above can also beadapted such that extension member 106 is removed. For example,referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated example apparel hook 170according to another example embodiment of the present invention.Apparel hook 170 is substantially similar to apparel hook 140, forexample, except that extension member 106 is removed. Here, strap 110(i.e., strap, chain, rope, wire, etc.) is connected to main body 102through a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or adetachable mechanism, for example, as similarly described for apparelhook 140. According to another example embodiment of the presentinvention, an apparel hook may substantially resemble apparel hook 150,again, with extension member 106 removed. Here, the hooks of garmenthangers, for example, would directly suspend from an opening formedwithin main body 102. According to a further example embodiment of thepresent invention, an apparel hook may substantially resemble apparelhooks 160 a, 160 b, or 160 c, where again, extension member 106 isremoved.

Referring now to FIG. 10A, there is illustrated apparel hook 200according to another example embodiment of the present invention.Apparel hook 200 is substantially similar to apparel hook 100, forexample, and includes extension member 106. Accordingly, apparel hook200 can be used together with an extension pole as described above inorder to maneuver apparel hook 200 with respect to high rods and/orgarment-chains. Note also that apparel hook 200 does not need to includea body opening 108 and/or strap 110 and in general, may resemble apparelhooks 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 150, and 160 as described above.

However, unlike the above described apparel hooks of the presentinvention, opening 218 (i.e. the opening formed between main body 202and end 204 b of hook member 204) of apparel hook 200 is now configuredto have a specific size and shape to prevent apparel hook 200 from beingaccidentally thrown from a rod from which it is hanging. Specifically,the hook portion of prior garment hangers, such as Artemi, have thedrawback that if the garment hangers are jostled, the hangers may bethrown from the hanger rod from which they are hanging. For example,garment hangers are often used with moveable racks on rollers. If themoveable rack is jostled in transit, the garment hangers can beaccidentally thrown off the rack, resulting in the garments beingdamaged or soiled. Similarly, garment hangers can be thrown from a rodin a truck when transporting garments. U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/082,479, filed Feb. 22, 2002 (Publication No: US-2003-0019892-A1,published Jan. 30, 2003), entitled “APPARATUS FOR HOLDING GARMENTHANGERS,” by Paul Giampavolo the same inventor of the presentapplication, and the contents of which are herein incorporated byreference discloses an apparel hook apparatus with a hook opening(analogous to hook opening 218) that is configured to prevent theapparel hook apparatus from being accidentally thrown from a rod.According to this embodiment of the present invention, opening 218 issimilarly configured.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, apparel hook 200 of thepresent invention comprises a first resistance portion 240 a along theinner surface of hook member 204 at end 204 b. Apparel hook 200 furthercomprises a second resistance portion 240 b along an inner surface ofmain body 202. As shown, resistance portion 240 a is substantiallyopposed to resistance portion 240 b and together, define the size ofopening 218.

Similar to apparel hook 100, for example, apparel hook 200 hangs upon arod, such as rod 242 shown in phantom in FIG. 10A, by passing the rodthrough opening 218 such that inner hook surface 204 a eventuallyengages the rod. According to this embodiment of the present invention,resistance portion 240 a and resistance portion 240 b are configuredsuch that the size of opening 218 is approximately the diameter of rod242. Specifically, the dimension of hook opening 218 defined byresistance portions 240 a and 240 b is carefully established so thatresistance portions 240 a and 240 b are forced into contact withsurfaces of rod 242 when apparel hook 200 receives rod 242 and whenapparel hook 200 is removed from rod 242. In this way, resistanceportions 240 a and 240 b provide a resistance to the insertion ofapparel hook 200 onto the rod and more importantly, provide a resistanceto the removal of apparel hook 200 from rod 242. For example, a typicalgarment hanger rod may have a diameter from approximately 32-35 mm(e.g., approximately 33 mm). Accordingly, the dimension of hook opening218 would be configured to be equal to or smaller than this diameter,for example, thereby providing resistance to the insertion and removalof the apparel hook from the rod.

Notably, resistance portion 240 b is slightly curved to permitresistance to build, reach a maximum, and then recede as rod 242proceeds through opening 218. In this way, rod 242 must be forciblyinserted through opening 218 when either hanging apparel hook 200 on therod or more importantly, when removing apparel hook 200 from the rod.Advantageously, this added resistance of opening 218 prevents apparelhook 200 from being accidentally thrown from rod 242.

Turning now to FIG. 10B, according to a further aspect of the presentinvention, both resistance portions 240 a and 240 b may have a convexsurface profile. Because of this convex profile, it can be understoodthat if apparel hook 200 is tilted slightly with respect to rod 242, thesize of the hook opening relative to rod 242 now has a larger dimension,as illustrated by arrow 244 for example. This increased sized openingallows for the easier insertion and removal of apparel hook 200 to andfrom rod 242, such as when apparel hook 200 is being inserted on andremoved from rod 242 by hand.

Again, one skilled in the art will recognize that apparel hook 200 ofthe present invention can also be adapted such that extension member 106is removed. Here, for example, the apparel hook may resemble apparelhook 140, 150, or 160 a-c, with extension member 106 removed, and withthe hook opening as described above for apparel hook 200.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

1. A garment hanger holding device, comprising: a body portion; a hookmember extending from said body portion and having a first surfaceadapted to be carried directly on a rail; an extension member extendingeither from said body portion, from said hook member, or from said bodyportion and said hook member, said extension member forming a secondsurface adapted to be carried on an extension device; and at least onebody opening formed in said body portion, said at least one body openingand a surface thereof being separate from said extension member and saidsecond surface.
 2. The garment hanger holding device of claim 1, furthercomprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least onechain, or at least one wire connected to said body portion through saidat least one body opening and adapted for receiving a hook portion of atleast one garment hanger and for providing lateral support to the atleast one garment hanger.
 3. The garment hanger holding device of claim1, wherein said at least one body opening is adapted for receiving ahook portion of at least one garment hanger and for providing lateralsupport to the at least one garment hanger.
 4. The garment hangerholding device of claim 1, wherein said body portion, said hook member,and said extension member are within a common plane such that said firstand second surfaces are substantially along opposing sides of saidgarment hanger holding device.
 5. The garment hanger holding device ofclaim 1, wherein said extension member is angled downward with respectto a long dimension of said body portion.
 6. The garment hanger holdingdevice of claim 1, wherein said extension member has a first end, saiddevice further comprising a spaced opening between said first end ofsaid extension member and either said body portion or said extensionmember.
 7. The garment hanger holding device of claim 1, wherein saidextension member has first and second ends, wherein said first end isconnected to either said body portion, said hook member, or to said bodyportion and said hook member, and wherein said second end is connectedto either said body portion, said hook member, or to said body portionand said hook member.
 8. The garment hanger holding device of claim 1,wherein said hook member has a first end, said device furthercomprising: a hook opening between said body portion and said first endof said hook member; wherein said hook opening is configured to have adimension sufficiently near a diameter of a garment hanger rod tothereby impede passage of said rod through said hook opening.
 9. Thegarment hanger holding device of claim 8, wherein opposing surfaces ofsaid hook opening, along said body portion and said first end of saidhook member, are convex in profile.
 10. The garment hanger holdingdevice of claim 1, wherein said hook member has a first end, said devicefurther comprising: a body portion surface along said body portion andopposing said first end of said hook member, said body portion surfaceand said first end defining a hook opening; a first convexly curvedsurface on said first end of said hook member; a second convexly curvedsurface on said body portion surface; wherein said first and secondconvexly curved surfaces are configured to define a first dimension thatis sufficiently near a diameter of a garment hanging rod such that whena long axis of said body portion is generally orthogonal to said rod,passage of said rod through said hook opening is impeded.
 11. Thegarment hanger holding device of claim 10, wherein said first and secondconvexly curved surfaces are configured to define a second dimensionthat is wider than said first dimension such that when said long axis ofsaid body portion is at an angle to said rod, passage of said rodthrough said hook opening is less impeded.
 12. A garment hanger holdingdevice, comprising: a body portion; a hook member extending from saidbody portion and having a first surface adapted to be carried directlyon a rail; an extension member extending either from said body portion,from said hook member, or from said body portion and said hook member,said extension member forming a second surface adapted to be carried onan extension device; and either at least one strap, at least one rope,at least one chain, or at least one wire adapted for receiving a hookportion of at least one garment hanger and for providing lateral supportto the at least one garment hanger, said at least one strap, at leastone rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire being connected tosaid body portion through either a co-molding process, a clampingprocess, an anchor, or a detachable mechanism.
 13. The garment hangerholding device of claim 12, wherein said body portion, said hook member,and said extension member are within a common plane such that said firstand second surfaces are substantially along opposing sides of saidgarment hanger holding device.
 14. The garment hanger holding device ofclaim 12, wherein said extension member has a first end, said devicefurther comprising a spaced opening between said first end of saidextension member and either said body portion or said extension member.15. The garment hanger holding device of claim 12, wherein saidextension member has first and second ends, wherein said first end isconnected to either said body portion, said hook member, or to said bodyportion and said hook member, and wherein said second end is connectedto either said body portion, said hook member, or to said body portionand said hook member.
 16. The garment hanger holding device of claim 12,wherein said hook member has a first end, said device furthercomprising: a hook opening between said body portion and said first endof said hook member; wherein said hook opening is configured to have adimension sufficiently near a diameter of a garment hanger rod tothereby impede passage of said rod through said hook opening.
 17. Agarment hanger holding device, comprising: a body portion; a hook memberextending from said body portion and comprising a first surface, whereinsaid first surface is adapted to be carried directly on a rail; anextension member comprising first and second ends such that saidextension member is connected either to said body portion, to said hookmember, or to said body portion and said hook member at only said firstend; a second surface formed by said extension member and adapted to becarried on an extension device; and a spaced opening between said secondend of said extension member and either said body portion or saidextension member.
 18. The garment hanger holding device of claim 17,further comprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, atleast one chain, or at least one wire connected to said body portion andadapted for receiving a hook portion of at least one garment hanger andfor providing lateral support to the at least one garment hanger. 19.The garment hanger holding device of claim 17, further comprising atleast one body opening formed in said body portion, said at least onebody opening and a surface thereof being separate from said extensionmember and said second surface.
 20. The garment hanger holding device ofclaim 19, wherein said at least one body opening is adapted forreceiving a hook portion of at least one garment hanger and forproviding lateral support to the at least one garment hanger.
 21. Thegarment hanger holding device of claim 19, further comprising either atleast one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least onewire connected to said body portion through said at least one openingand adapted for receiving a hook portion of at least one garment hangerand for providing lateral support to the at least one garment hanger.22. The garment hanger holding device of claim 17, wherein said spacedopening is angled substantially downward with respect to a long axis ofsaid body portion.
 23. The garment hanger holding device of claim 17,wherein said body portion, said hook member, and said extension memberare within a common plane such that said first and second surfaces aresubstantially along opposing sides of said garment hanger holdingdevice.
 24. The garment hanger holding device of claim 17, wherein saidhook member has a first end, said device further comprising: a hookopening between said body portion and said first end of said hookmember; wherein said hook opening is configured to have a dimensionsufficiently near a diameter of a garment hanger rod to thereby impedepassage of said rod through said hook opening.
 25. A garment hangerholding device, comprising: a support member for providing lateralsupport to at least one garment hanger; a hook member extending fromsaid support member and having a first surface adapted to be carrieddirectly on a rail; and an extension member separate from said supportmember and extending either from said hook member, from said supportmember, or from said hook member and said support member, said extensionmember forming a second surface adapted to be carried on an extensiondevice.
 26. The garment hanger holding device of claim 25, wherein saidsupport member comprises at least one body opening adapted for receivinga hook portion of said at least one garment hanger.
 27. The garmenthanger holding device of claim 25, wherein said support member comprisesat least one body opening, said garment hanger holding device furthercomprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least onechain, or at least one wire connected to said device through said atleast one body opening, said at least one strap, at least one rope, atleast one chain, or at least one wire being adapted for receiving a hookportion of said at least one garment hanger.
 28. The garment hangerholding device of claim 25, further comprising either at least onestrap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wireadapted for receiving a hook portion of said at least one garmenthanger, said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain,or at least one wire being connected to said support member througheither a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or adetachable mechanism.
 29. A method for hanging a garment hanger from arod, comprising the steps of: suspending the garment hanger from agarment hanger holding device; inserting an extension pole against afirst surface of said garment hanger holding device, said first surfacebeing formed from an extension member extending from said garment hangerholding device, wherein said extension member has first and second endswith only said first end being connected to said device and with saidsecond end forming a spaced opening with said device; using theextension pole to raise said garment hanger holding device to the rod;engaging a second surface of said garment hanger holding device againstthe rod such that said garment hanger holding device hangs from the rod,said second surface being formed from a hook member extending from saiddevice.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said hook member and saidextension member lie within a common plane such that said first andsecond surfaces are substantially along opposing sides of said garmenthanger holding device.
 31. The method of claim 29, further comprisingthe step of engaging said first surface with the extension pole toremove said garment hanger holding device from the rod.